Two Minister Meet Indonesian Migrant Workers in Hong Kong

Jakarta, (Antara) - Foreign Affairs Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi and Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly met Indonesian migrant workers in Hong Kong on Thursday (June 16).

The meeting was held at the Indonesian Consulate General in Hong Kong and was attended by 50 representatives of the groups, the foreign affairs ministry said in a press release received here on Friday.

On the occasion, Retno reaffirmed the government's commitment to protecting Indonesian citizens abroad, including migrant workers.

"The government is committed to helping find a solution," the minister stated.

The migrant workers submitted their complaints to the government, one of them being related to the passport renewal services, especially after the implementation of the Immigration Management and Information System (SIMKIM).

SIMKIM is a new system that keeps a record of Indonesians abroad and is linked to the electronic identity card (e-KTP) database due to which any discrepancies between the data mentioned on a person's e-KTP and his or her passport are exposed.

As a result, scores of Indonesian migrant workers, who are reapplying for work permits in Hong Kong, have been charged with forging their identities.

"The implementation of SIMKIM is intended to secure and meet international standards in mailing passports," Minister Laoly stated.

As reported earlier, two Indonesian citizens had been arrested by Hong Kong authorities due to changes in the new passport data.

"The president called me and Minister Yasonna Laoly to overcome problems following the implementation of SIMKIM," she noted.(*)